Gary “Jah Teff†Johnson, f.k.a. Mr. Mutton, was born in the parish of Montego Bay, Jamaica. From an early age, Gary aspired to musical heights. His debut performance came in 1987 when he entered the Great River Talent Show and won for best song “Tooth Ache.†The following year, he won the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Talent Show where he was awarded first prize by a distinguished panel of judges, including the honorable Portia Simpson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica. This represented a major endorsement for the young artist with big dreams.
Gary later moved to Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, where aspiring artists pursued their singing careers with a chance to record with renown producers. It was here Jah Teff met Rodney Basil Price, also known as Bounty Killer, and recorded his first single “Exercise†published by the Scare Dem label. It became an instant hit in dancehalls across Jamaica and the U.K. Bounty Killer’s “gift of discovering new talent will be seen as one of his most outstanding achievements†(The Warlord Scrolls, 2006, VP Records). Jah Teff was now inducted into the “major league of reggae.â€
Following the success of “Exercise,†Jah Teff recorded another single “Got To Get Away†featuring Platinum on the Slam label. In 1993, his big break came when he performed at Reggae Sumfest, the marquee reggae event of the summer held annually in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Captured by his pulsating performance, Barbara Barabino, founder of Ragga Muffins Productions, invited Jah Teff to perform at the annual Ragga Muffin Bob Marley Day Festival in Long Beach, California alongside acts like Burning Spear, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Anthony B., and Baby Cham. “Got To Get Away†became a success in the U.S. bringing him radio appearances and performances in New York, Miami, San Francisco, Detroit and San Diego. He worked with producers like Don One, Jah Live and Future Line Records. In 2006, Kyle McDonald, co-bassist and vocalist of the successful acoustic reggae band Slightly Stoopid produced his song “See It No Other Way†featuring dancehall music legend Barrington Levy. The song became an instant sensation and can be found on Slightly Stoopid’s album Closer To The Sun.
On and off stage, Jah Teff delivers a rare mix of talent and charisma. His sound is a refreshing mélange of roots, rock and dancehall reggae making him one of the most uniquely versatile entertainers of today. His live shows are fully loaded with energy from beginning to end, and draw not only a great crowd, but also special guests including: Cedric “Im†Brooks, Kevin Batchelor, Derrick Barnett and Screechy Dan. In recent years, Jah Teff has increased his exposure by sharing the stage with dancehall heavyweights such as Damian “Jr. Gong†Marley, Sizza, Luciano, Beenie Man, Wyclef Jean, Junior Reid, Elephant Man and his music mentor Bounty Killer.
Today, Jah Teff can be found either recording music for his upcoming album, sharing the stage with dancehall performers at stage shows, or promoting his new clothing line available at
www.jahteff.com. Either way, Gary Johnson, a.k.a. Jah Teff is taking the dancehall scene by storm and his fans in the U.S., Europe, Jamaica, and Japan, can agree, Jah Teff is the next “rebelution†in reggae music.
Website: www.jahteff.com
Publicist: Falana Fray, contact:
[email protected]
Booking Information: 347-678 4594
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